Author

Aislin Tweedy is a journalist in Missoula. She is a tribal member of the Nakoda tribe from Fort Belknap Reservation. She was a former Editor in Chief of her school’s journalism newsroom, the Sentinel; and a news reporter for the Montana Kaimin at the University of Montana. She focuses on state politics, student government and Native American politics and rights.
Montana Department of Revenue sees record number of appeals to property tax appraisals
By: Aislin Tweedy - August 28, 2023
The MontanaDepartment Revenue has received the highest number of appeals for property tax appraisals since 2015, before the state went on a two-year reappraisal cycle. “This year we have around 16,000, almost 17,000 appeals that have been filed in our system,” said Robin Rude, deputy administrator for the property assessment division of the Department of […]
Flathead County issues a mandatory evacuation for East Fork Fire
By: Aislin Tweedy - August 18, 2023
Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino has issued a mandatory evacuation for residents and visitors north of mile marker 142 on Highway 93 to mile marker 157.9 – Lincoln and Flathead County line in a press release on Friday. Furthermore, residents of Good Creek Road and those who access Gold Creek west to the Lincoln County […]
Fires in northwest Montana pick back up during triple-digit weather
By: Aislin Tweedy - August 16, 2023
With the rising temperatures across Montana and some areas in the state reaching triple digits, seven new fires broke out in Montana the last 24 hours, and several others grew by hundreds of acres. Wednesday, 39 active fires burned across the state, according to Montana Wildland Fire Information. Jacque Lavelle, a spokesperson for the team […]
Hot temperatures in Montana this week will set records, increase wildfire danger
By: Aislin Tweedy - August 15, 2023
The Treasure State will break temperature records in a heat wave this week, with days in the high 90s and even triple digits anticipated across the state. Missoula and Kalispell are predicted to see record-breaking high temperatures, up to 101 degrees, with cities like Butte and Billings also expecting above-average temperatures. Experts recommend Montanans, especially […]
Billings Clinic first Level 1 trauma center in four-state region
By: Aislin Tweedy - August 7, 2023
The Billings Clinic has been certified as Montana’s first Level 1 Trauma Center, the only one within a 550-mile radius, that includes all of Montana and Wyoming, said the clinic this month in a press release. The certification is a step toward both of the largest hospitals in the state to provide more trauma care […]
FWP: Otter attacks three women
By: Aislin Tweedy - August 3, 2023
Three women were injured by an otter on Wednesday while floating on the Jefferson River near Three Forks, including one who was airlifted to the hospital for more serious injuries, a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesperson said in a news release. The airlifted woman’s condition was unknown at press time; a voicemail left for […]
Colt fire 0% contained with another heatwave on the way
By: Aislin Tweedy - July 24, 2023
A wildfire near Seeley Lake continues to grow with evacuation orders and warnings remaining in effect and fire managers report that there is 0% containment as the blaze has increased by 1,352 acres during the past two days. “The areas that are currently in warning status are the west side of Lake Inez, specifically on […]
Fort Belknap water compact will head to the U.S. Senate floor
By: Aislin Tweedy - July 19, 2023
Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Act sponsored and supported by both Montana Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines, passed the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and will head to the Senate floor. Fort Belknap is the last tribal community to have a water compact in Montana. The settlement would provide infrastructure for clean drinking […]
Montanans see veterinarian shortage, call for more training programs
By: Aislin Tweedy - July 17, 2023
Amid a nationwide shortage of veterinarians, the executive director of the Human Society of Western Montana said she is also seeing the squeeze across Montana, where people are struggling to get veterinary care. “When you have a veterinary shortage, nationally, statewide, it really is compounded for people who already don’t have much access to veterinary […]
University of Montana awarded $1 million to support Indigenous knowledge in humanities
By: Aislin Tweedy - July 13, 2023
The University of Montana was awarded $1 million through the Mellon Foundation to support Indigenous ways of knowing and Native American expertise in humanities, UM said Thursday in a press release. “This award aims to elevate knowledge that represents more complete and accurate narratives of the human experience by incorporating perspectives of Native elders and […]
U.S. Attorney for Montana: Butte man sentenced for murder on Blackfeet Indian Reservation
By: Aislin Tweedy - July 12, 2023
Terrance Travis Aimsback, 35, was sentenced to 15 years and 10 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for murdering a woman during an argument on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, according to a news release Wednesday from the U.S. Attorneys Office, District of Montana. “Aimsback earned this significant sentence based on his […]
First fishing restrictions of the year imposed on Madison, Sun rivers
By: Aislin Tweedy - July 11, 2023
Montana Fish,Wildlife and Parks announced Tuesday the first fishing restrictions imposed this year will be on portions of the Sun and lower Madison rivers, which will close to all fishing daily from 2 p.m. to midnight beginning Wednesday. The closures will be on the Sun River from Highway 287 bridge to the mouth of Muddy […]